Duplex cigar transfer



Oct. 1, 1935.

.J. A. NEUMAlF DUPLEX CIGAR 'TRANSFER Filed Sept] 29, 1954 3Sheets-Sheet l a {I r m-$ \N mm QQN w IN ENTO TTORNEY Oct '1, 1935.. J.A. NEUMAIR DUPLEX CIGAR TRANSFER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 29, 1934mm NM [N ENTO I g) ATTORNEY 06L. 1, 1 935. J NEUMMR 2,016,156

DUPLEX C IGAR TRANSFER Filed Sept. 29, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVE TO MPatented Oct. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DUPLEX CIGAR TRANSFERApplication September 29, 1934, Serial No. 746,233

18 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic cigar transfer mechanism, its mainobject being to transfer a cigar from a cigar enveloping machine to acigar banding mechanism, and at the same time turn the cigar 180 degreesabout its transverse axis to reverse the cigar end for end so that itwill be in the proper position to be banded when it arrives atband-applying position.

A further object is to provide a duplex cigar transfer having a novelconstruction and mode of operation and designed to carry the reversedcigar to band-applying position and move it away from said positionafter it is banded. For this purpose the duplex cigar transfer comprisesa pair of reciprocable slides having movements of equal amplitude and atthe same speed, and each provided with a set of clamping fingers whichare moved into a position astride the reversed cigar and the cigar atband-applying position, respectively, to clamp the sides of the cigars.The first set of fingers delivers the reversed cigar to bandapplyingposition where it is gripped by the second set of fingers after beingbanded, and transferred to delivery position.

In the process of enveloping and banding cigars it is essential to keepthem in the same right side up position as they were selected;accordingly, a further object is to prevent them from being turnedcircumferentially While taken from one position to another, especiallywhen the banding mechanism is so located that the cigar must be swungabout its transverse axis in order to apply the band to the right partof the cigar.

These objects in the present invention are achieved by employing a setof grippers which receive the cigar from the enveloping machine andswing it 180 degrees about its transverse axis. Thereupon the first setof clamping fingers of the duplex cigar transfer takes the cigar anddelivers it to the banding mechanism, holding it until tl e bander headhas descended onto the cigar and the folding fingers have engaged theband and folded the same partly around the cigar. [he folding fingersthus hold the cigar while the clamping fingers are released and movedback to take the next cigar from the grippers. The banded cigar is thengripped by the second set of clamping fingers and transferred todelivery position.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, theinvention consists in certain constructions and combinations hereinafterfully described and then specifically set forth in the claims hereuntoappended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification andin which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Fig. l is a side view of the complete cigar transfer mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of Fig. 1 showing the grip- 5 pers for reversingthe cigar end for end, and the duplex cigar transfer and its operatingmechanism, which removes the cigar from the grippers and advances it tothe banding machine;

Fig. 3 is a sectional end elevation of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the cigar being held by the banderfingers of the banding mechanism.

In carrying the invention into effect there is provided a device forgripping a cigar, mechanism for turning said device one-half turn toreverse the gripped cigar end for end, means for clamping the sides ofthe reversed cigar and removing it from said device and depositing it inband-applying position, and mechanism operating in synchronism with saidmeans for clamping the sides of the cigar deposited at bandapplyingposition and transferring it away from said position. In the bestconstructions contemplated there is provided a duplex transfer 5comprising a pair of reciprocable pivoted heads,

a set of clamping fingers on each of said heads to engage the cigarreversed by said device and the cigar at band-applying position,respectively, and transfer them to band-applying and delivery positions,respectively. These various means and parts may be widely varied inconstruction for the particular arrangement selected to illustrate theinvention is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same.The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the specificconstruction shown and described.

The cigar transfer mechanism is operated from the main drive of a cigarenveloping machine such as disclosed in the patent to H. H. Wheeler,1,899,174, issued February 23, 1933, by means of a chain l0 driving asprocket ll actuating the cam shaft l2 (Figs. 1 and 2). The envelopedcigars C ejected. from the turret T of said enveloping machine aredelivered to the transfer mechanism by means of swingable transfer armsl3 and 14 forming a part of the enveloping machine. Arms I3 are fixedlymounted on a shaft I5 journaled in bearings of the side frames of theenveloping machine (not shown) and provided with pockets on their freeends to receive the cigar as it is ejected from the turret T, as shownindotted lines in Fig. 1. Shaft 15 is suitably oscillated from theenveloping machine. The arms I4 are actuated by means of a plate cam l6operating a connecting rod I! through a cam lever l8 having a followerengaging the cam track in one face of cam it, the upper end of rod l7!being connected to one arm of bell crank lever 69 and the other arm oflever l9 carrying a flanged stud which engages the hooked end 2| of alever 22 connected to a lug 23 on one of the arms M. wardly they deliverthe cigars C onto a table 24 10 and enter suitable slots provided in thetable to receive them. The arms M are fixed on a sleeve 25'; loose onshaft l5 and having a circumferential slot receiving the screwwhichsecures the hub of the arms 83 to the shaft [5, one of the arms I4as heretofore described being equipped with a lever 22, therebyactuating both arms l4 in unison.

The bed l @4, of the enveloping machine carries 7 angle brackets I65,which support each of the side frames zli and 21 (Fig. 1).

the transfer unit is attached to projecting arms of the side frames H66and IU'L of the enveloping machine (Fig. 3).

After the cigar C is delivered onto the table 25 24, which is supportedby the side frames 26 and 2? of the transfer unit, arms [3 move downthrough the slots in the table 24 out of engagement with the cigar whilearms !4 rest on the cigar and prevent the same from turningcircumferentially. 'A hook-shaped pusher 28 then moves the cigar frombeneath arms l4 and inserts it between the grippers 29 and 36. Pusher 28is fastened'to a rack 31 sliding in a track provided in the bracket 32attached. to the table 24. The rack 3| is actuated by a gear segment 33having a projecting arm 34 pivotally connected to one end of a rod 35,the other end of rod 35 7 being connected to a cam lever 36 providedwith a follower engaging the cam track in the other face of cam I 6. Thelever 36 is fulcrumed on the cam lever shaft 31 supported in bearings ofthe side frames 36 and 21. Gripper 39 is pivotally mounted on a pin 38extending transverse-' ly'of gripper 3i! forming therewith a pocket in--which the cigar C is inserted by pusher 2B. Gripper 29 is held firmlyagainst the cigar C in the pocket so formed by the action of acompression'spring 39 coiled about a stop pin connecting the grippers 25 and 36; The latter is provided with adjustable fianges forming the endwall of the pocket and is clamped to a sleeve 36a loosely mounted on thestationary vertical shaft 49, the grippers being oscillated about avertical axis by means of a gear sector 4! fixed on sleeve 3% andmeshing with a stationary rack 42 fastened to the table 24 (Fig. 2).Vertical shaft 48 is fixed in a slide 43 (Figs. 1 and 2), reciprocablein a slideway provided in the table 24. To the bottom of'slide 43 isfastened a block l connected by a link 45 to an arm 46 which isoscillated from a double arm cam lever 41 by means of a connecting rod48, the lever 41 carry ing a roller 49 engaging a cam track of cam 50mounted on cam shaft l2, and cam lever 4'! being fulcrumed on shaft 37and the arm 46 being fulcrurned on shaft 5! supported by side frames 26and During the forward motion of 'slide &3, imparted thereto from camlever4'l, gear sector M is rotated one half-turn by the stationary rack32, causing the grippers 29 and 36 to turn therewith and thereby swingthe cigar 180 degrees around its transverse axis without turning thecigar circumferentially. A coil spring 460, wound about the sleeve 38aon shaft 49, has one end anchored'in the gripper 36 and its other end isWhen the arms i3 are swung down- The table 24, of

held in a collar 40b fastened to shaft 46. The spring 40a causes thegrippers 29 and 30 to turn with the'shaft 4i and eliminates any backlashbetween gear sector 4| and rack 42. The cigar in this manner is carriedfrom its position shown 5 in Fig. 1 to a position shown in Fig. 2. Inbeing swung the cigar is turned end for end so that it will be in theproper position to be banded when it arrives at the band-applyingposition.

The cigar C is then removed from the pocket 10 formed by grippers 29 and30 by means of the first pair of clamping fingers 60 and 6| of theduplex cigar transfer, operated by mechanism which will be presentlydescribed, which take the cigar to the banding station and hold the same15 admit the cigar advanced on table 24 by the 25 pusher the cigarhaving previously been deposited on table 24 by the transfer arms 13 andI l. The lever 53 is fulcrumed on a stud 52 supported in a bracket 55attached to table 24, lever being actuated by a rod 56 connected to acam 30 lever 51 fulcrumed on shaft 31, said cam lever being providedwith a roller 58 fitting a cam track of cam 59. e

As soon as the cigar C has been removed from the pocket formed bygrippers 26 and 30, the 35 latter return to their original position andstand ready to receive another cigar. The clamping fingers 66 and 6! areattached to arms 62 pivoted to a supporting head 63, each arm 62 beingequipped with a roller 64 held by means of a 4g tension spring 65against a wedge-shaped member 66 (Figs. 2 and 3), member 66 controllingthe opening and closing of the pocket formed by fingers 66 and iii.Thewedge 66 is fastened to a slide rod 61, a portion of which has rackteeth 45 meshing with a gear segment 68 of arm 69, Fig. 3,

arm 69 being equipped with a roller 10 engaging the bottom of a cansrail H. The latter is supported from its ends by brackets 12 and 13(Fig. 2) fixed on shaft 74 which is journaled in 50 bearings 15 carriedby the table 24. An arm 76 projecting from bracket 13 is connected by arod ll (Fig. 2), to one arm 18 of a double arm cam lever l9 actuated bymeans of a roller 86 on its other arm from a plate cam 8!. The action of55 cam 8! through rod 17 operates the rail 1|, the descent of rail llengaging the roller 16 of arm '69 which is pivoted on shaft 14 andcausing the segment 88 to move slide rod (il outwardly, thus opening thefingers 66 and 6 l; the outward move- 60 ment of rod El compressingthespring 82 thereon. When the rail H ascends, the spring 82 expands andreturns the wedge 65 to its original position, thus closing the fingers66 and BI.

'While the arms 62 are spread apart during the 65 V other ends pivotedon shaft 174' and the head 63 75 a it is slidably mounted on shafts 14and 81, whereby downward movement of the rod 86 will swing the head 93downwardly on shaft 14 to bring the separated fingers 69 and BI into aposition astride the cigar. When the fingers B and 6| reach thisposition they are closed on the cigar so that they will remove the samefrom the grippers 29 and 39 during the transverse movement of head 63 onshafts l4 and Bl. To assure the removal of the cigar the finger 60 is ofsufficient length to engage the mid-section of the cigar, the finger 69having a notch in its bottom fitting the underlying arm of the gripper29 to permit the finger 9t to straddle the same in order that the fulllength of the finger may engage the cigar. The transverse movement ofthe head 63 is controlled by means of a horizontal slide 89 which isguided in slide blocks 99 suspended from the table 29. Slide 89 receivesreciprocating motion through a gear segment 9| of arm 92, segment 9imeshing with the rack teeth provided on the slide 89. Slide 89 isactuated by cam 8| having a cam groove receiving roller 93 on one arm ofthe double cam lever 94, the arm 95 of lever 99 carrying a rod 99connected to the arm 92.

The slide 89 is provided with slotted blocks 91 engaging rollers 93carried by the arms 99 of the heads 53 and see; in this manner a backand forth motion is transmitted to the heads 63 and 199. Since theconstruction of the head I00 on which the second pair of clampingfingers IGI and I92 of the duplex cigar transfer is carried, is similarto the head 63, like characters of reference are used to designatecorresponding parts, and the description thereof need not be repeatedherein.

The operation of the novel transfer is as follows:

The enveloped cigar ejected from the turret T is deposited on the table24 by the transfer arms 93 and l 4 and then inserted between thegrippers 29 and 39 by the pusher 28. After the cigar has been swung 180degrees by the grippers 29 and 99, clamping fingers 6i and 6| descendand clamp the cigar and slide it sidewise to the band-applying positionunder the banding mechanism M of conventional construction, (Fig. 2),where the cigar is held between the fingers 69, 9| until the bander headH descends and presses the band against the cigar, whereupon the bandfolding fingers F swing inward, folding the band partly around the cigaras shown in Fig. 4. While the cigar is thus held by fingers F theclamping fingers 60, 6| are released when the rail it moves downwardlyinto engagement with the rollers 70. The clamping fingers 69, G! thenrise and move back to their starting position, the bottom foldingfingers K in the meantime having moved in and completely folded the bandB around the cigar. The fingers 60, El and I95, 12 then descend, theformer pair engaging the cigar now held by the grippers 29, 39 and thelatter pair engage the banded cigar previously delivered to the bandingmechanism. The heads 63 and IE9 then move forward, the fingers 69 andiii of the former sliding the cigar to the bander and the fingers NH andI02 of the latter sliding the banded cigar from the bander to deliveryposition in which a pusher 93 on head Hit propels the banded cigarpreviously deposited by the clamping fingers of head I09 onto thedelivery end of table 24. It will be observed that during the entireoperation of the novel cigar transfer mechanism, the cigar is heldfirmly and in the right side up position so that the banded cigars canbe repacked in the same box from which they were taken.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination with a device for gripping a cigar, of mechanism forturning said device one half-turn to reverse the gripped cigar end forend, oscillating means for clamping the reversed cigar while it is heldby said device and removing the cigar therefrom and depositing it inband-applying position, and oscillating mechanism operating insynchronism with said means for clamping the cigar deposited atband-applying position after it has been released by said means andtransferring it away from said position.

2. The combination with a device for gripping a cigar, of mechanism forturning said device one half-turn to reverse the gripped cigar end forend, means for clamping the reversed cigar while it is held by saiddevice and removing the cigar therefrom and depositing it inband-applying position, mechanism operating in synchronism with a saidmeans for clamping the cigar deposited at band-applying position afterit has been released by said means and transferring it away from saidposition, and mechanism for releasing the reone half-turn to reverse thegripped cigar end for end, means for clamping the reversed cigar whileit is held by said device and removing the cigar therefrom anddepositing it in band-applying position, and mechanism operating insynchronism with said means for clamping the cigar deposited atband-applying position after it has been released by said means andtransferring it away from said position, said device including areciprocable slide, an upright shaft fixed in said slide, a stationarygripper loosely mounted on said shaft, and a movable gripper pivoted onsaid stationary gripper, and said mechanism including a spring havingits ends fixedly connected to said shaft and stationary gripper, a gearsector fixedly connected to said stationary gripper, and a stationaryrack meshing with said gear sector to turn said grippers one half-turnduring each stroke of said slide.

4. The combination with a device for gripping a cigar, of mechanism forturning said device one half -turn to reverse the gripped cigar end forend, means for clamping the reversed cigar while it is held by saiddevice and removing the cigar therefrom and depositing it inband-applying position, and mechanism operating in synchronism with saidmeans for clamping the cigar deposited at band-applying position afterit has been released by said means and transferring it away from saidposition, said means including a reciprocable head, a pair of clampingfingers pivoted on said head, a wedge-shaped block engaging saidfingers, a spring connecting said fingers and pressing them against saidblock, and mechanism for actuating said block to cause said fingers toclamp the reversed cigar in said device and transfer it to band-applyingposition and release it in said position.

5. The combination with a device for gripping a cigar, of mechanism forturning said device one half-turn to reverse the gripped cigar end forend, means for clamping the reversed cigar while it is held by saiddevice and removing the cigar therefrom and depositing it inband-applying position, and'mechanism operating in synchronism with saidmeans for clamping the cigar deposited at band-applying position afterit has been released by said means and transferring it away from saidposition, said mechanism including a reciprocable head, a pair ofclamping fingers pivoted on said head, a wedge-shaped block engagingsaid fingers, a spring connecting said fingers and pressing them againstsaid block, means for actuating said block to cause said fingers toclamp the cigar deposited in band-applying position and advance itsidewise to delivery position and release it in delivery'position and apusher on said head arranged to engage and further advance the cigarpreviously deposited in delivery position by said clamping fingers.

6. The combination with a device for gripping a cigar, of mechanism forturning said device one-half turn to reverse the gripped cigar end for Hend, means for clamping the reversed cigar while it is held by saiddevice and removing the cigar therefrom and depositing it inband-applying position, mechanism operating in synchronism with saidmeans for clamping the cigar deposited at band-applying position afterit has been released by said means and transferring it away from saidposition, mechanism for releasing the reversed cigar in said deviceafter it has been clamped by said means, said device including areciprocable slide, a stationary gripper mounted 30- on said slide, anda spring-pressed gripper pivoted on said stationary gripper, and saidreleasing mechanism including a cam-operated lever arranged to strikesaid spring-pressed gripper and c, disengage it from the reversed cigar.35

'7. The combination with a device for gripping a cigar, of mechanism forturning said device one half-turn to reverse the gripped cigar end forend, oscillating means for clamping the sides of the reversed cigar andremoving it from said device and depositing it in band-applyingposition,

and oscillating mechanism operating in synchro- V nism with said meansfor clamping the sides of the cigar deposited at band-applyingposltionand transferring it away from said position.

,8. The combination with a device for gripping V a cigar, of mechanismfor turning said device one half-turn to reverse the gripped cigar endfor end, means for clamping the sides of the reversed cigar and removingit from said device and depositing it in band-applying position,mechaposition and move them'to a position astride the reversed cigar,and mechanism for actuating said block to cause said fingers to clampthe reversed cigar in said device and carry it to bandapplying positionand release it in said position.

9. The combination with a devicefor gripping a cigar, of mechanism forturning said device one half-turn to reverse the gripped cigar end forend, means for clamping the sides of the re versed cigar and removing itfrom said device and depositing it in band-applying position, mechanismoperating in'synchronism with said means for clamping the sides of thecigar deposited at band-applying position and transmeans for actuatingsaid block to cause said fingers to clamp the cigar deposited inbandapplying position and carry it to delivery position and release itin delivery position, and a pusher on said head arranged to engage andfurther advance the cigar previously deposited in delivery position bysaid clamping fingers.

10. The combination with a device for gripping a cigar, of mechanism forturning said device one half-turn to reverse the cigar end for 20 end,and means for clamping the reversed cigar while it is held by saiddevice and removing the cigar therefrom and depositing it inband-applying position, said means including a reciprocable head, a pairof clamping fingers fulcrumed on said head, a wedge-shaped blockengaging said fingers, a spring connecting said fingers and pressingthem against said block, and mechanism for actuating said block to causesaid fingers to ciamp the reversed cigar in said device and transfer itto band-applying position and release it in'said position. a i

ii. The combination with a device for gripping a cigar, of mechanism forturning said device one half-turn to reverse the gripped cigar end forend, and mechanism for releasing the gripped cigar in said device afterit has been reversed, said device including a reciprocable slide, astationary gripper mounted on said slide, and a spring-pressed gripperpivoted on said stationary gripper, and said releasing mechanismincluding a cam-operated lever arranged to strike said spring-pressedgripper and disengage it from the reversed cigar.

12. The combination with a device for gripping a cigar, of mechanism forturning said device one half-turn to reverse the gripped cigar end forend,- said device including a reciprocable slide, an upright shaft fixedin said slide, a stationary gripper loosely mounted on said shaft, and amovable gripper pivoted on said stationary gripper, and said mechanismincluding a spring having its end fixedly connected to said shaft andstationary gripper, a gear sector fixedly connected to said staionarygripper, and a stationary rack meshing with said gear sector to turnsaid grippers one half-turn during each stroke of said slide.

13. The combination with oscillating means for clamping the sides of acigar and carrying it, to band-playing position and depositing it insaid position, of oscillating mechanism operating in synchronism withsaid means for clamping the sides of the cigar deposited atband-applying position and transferring it away from said position. 7

14. The combination with means for clamping V the sides ofv a cigar andcarrying it to band-playing position and depositing it in said position,of mechanism operating in 'synchronism with said means for clamping thesides of the cigar deposited at band applying position and, transferringit away from said position said means including a reciprocable pivotedhead, a pair of clamping fingers fulcrumed onusaid head, a

wedge-shaped block engaging said fingers, a spring connecting saidfingers and pressing them against said block, mechanism forreciprocating said head and swinging it up and down on its pivot todisengage said fingers from the cigar at bandapplying position and movethem to a position astride a cigar, and mechanism for actuating saidblock to cause said fingers to clamp a cigar and carry it toband-applying position and release it in said position.

15. The combination with means for clamping the sides of a cigar andcarrying it to band-applying position and depositing it in saidposition, of mechanism operating in synchronism with said means forclamping the sides of the cigar deposited at band-applying position andtransferring it away from said position, said mechanism including areciprocable pivoted head, a pair of clamping fingers fulcrumed on saidhead, a wedge-shaped block engaging said fingers, a spring connectingsaid fingers and pressing them against said block, means forreciprocating said head and swinging it up and down on its pivot, todisengage said fingers from the cigar at delivery position and move themto a position astride the cigar at band-applying position, means foractuating said block to cause said fingers to clamp the cigar depositedin band-applying position and carry it to delivery position, and apusher on said head arranged to engage and further advance the cigarpreviously deposited in delivery position by said clamping fingers.

16. Means for clamping the sides of a cigar and carrying it toband-playing position and depositing it in said position, comprising areciprocable pivoted head, a pair of clamping fingers fulcrumed on saidhead, a wedge-shaped block engaging said fingers, a spring connectingsaid fingers and pressing them against said block, mechanism forreciprocating said head and swinging it up and down on its pivot, todisengage said fingers from the cigar at band-applying position and movethem to a position astride a cigar, and mechanism for actuating saidblock to cause said fingers to clamp a cigar and carry it tobandapplying position and release it in said position.

17. Mechanism for clamping the sides of a cigar at band-applyingposition and transferring it away from said position comprising areciprocable pivoted head, a pair of clamping fingers fulcrumed on saidhead, a wedge-shaped block engaging said fingers, a spring connectingsaid fingers and pressing them against said block, mech anism forreciprocating said head and swinging it up and down on its pivot todisengage said fingers from the cigar at delivery position and move themto a position astride a cigar at bandapplying position, mechanism foractuating said block to cause said fingers to clamp the cigar and carryit away from band-applying position in an arcuate path to deliveryposition and re1ease it in delivery position, and a pusher on said headarranged to engage and further advance the cigar previously deposited indelivery position by said clamping fingers.

18. Means for clamping a cigar and depositing it in band-applyingposition, comprising a reciprocable head, a pair of clamping fingersfulcrumed on said head, a wedge-shaped block engaging said fingers, aspring connecting said fingers and pressing them against said block, andmechanism for actuating said block to cause said fingers to clamp acigar and transfer it to bandapplying position and release it in saidposition.

JOSEPH A. NEUMAIR.

